Cheri and Ron Lehrter

We are often asked why we decided to leave Mount Notre Dame in our estate plans.  Our decision comes as a way to honor and show our love for MND and an alumna from the Class of 1946, Ruth Feldhaus Lehrter. 

My mother-in-law Ruth Feldhaus Lehrter was a graduate of Mount Notre Dame Academy in 1946 before the school, as we know it today, became Mount Notre Dame High School in 1960. For many years, my husband Ron and many of his siblings cared for their mom Ruth, who suffered with Alzheimer's and their dad Jim who had Parkinson's, at their family home here in Reading.  Ruth simply loved MND and her Catholic faith. 

In her later years, one of her very favorite places was the grotto, honoring our Blessed Mother Mary, which is located across the lawn, on the campus of the Sisters of Notre Dame.  After 60 years of marriage, Jim sadly passed away in April 2010 and Ruth in November 2013, after having Alzheimer's for 14 years.

Ruth was a lifetime resident of the City of Reading and a member of Sts. Peter and Paul Parish, having received all of her sacraments at the parish she so loved.  Jim and Ruth sent six of their seven sons to Moeller and their three daughters, Cathy —72, Terry —75 and Ann —81 to MND.  Continuing their legacy are three of Jim and Ruth's granddaughters, Molly —98, Jessica '04 and Jayni '07.  Adding to the family legacy are daughters-in-law Sheila —70 and Mary '72. 

The idea of her scholarship and including MND in our estate plans comes with a short story.  Since Ron and I celebrate our birthdays just four days apart, let me correct that, four years and four days apart, I thought I'd be helpful with purchasing and wrapping my own birthday gift.  I had realized Ron was very busy with his parents and quite honestly I didn't want him to forget my birthday.  As I was telling him that my gift is all ready, wrapped and in the closet, just waiting for my special day – I casually asked what he wanted for his birthday.  Without skipping a beat, he said he wanted to set-up and fund a scholarship at Mount Notre Dame to honor his mom and her love of MND and of her Catholic faith. 

As an employee of MND, I often share our concerns about the students whose parents simply cannot afford to send their daughters to MND, the school Ruth loved and which she sent her very own daughters.  Ron clearly understands the commitment and importance of starting a scholarship and seeing it fully funded within five years.  The minimum financial requirement allowing an endowed scholarship to support a student on an annual basis is $25,000.  At this level MND could then offer a $1,000 scholarship to one recipient a year. 

After conferring with his nine siblings, and getting their blessing, the documents were signed and the initial gift payment was made to begin this journey.  And, to share exciting news, this scholarship reached the required amount within about three years, meaning this scholarship will last forever and Ruth's legacy will continue forever. 

Ruth's father Pete taught her that a MND education is a gift – and truly it is. Jim and Ruth believed this as well, teaching their ten children this same valuable lesson. And if not today, some day you, too, will realize the commitment your parents and our benefactors make to present you and all the other students here this same privilege, this same gift.

Tuition for many families is simply unattainable.  We believe it is our calling to give back and to help those in need in our school, parish and community.  Each of us has been blessed with an abundance of God's blessings.   Believing this, the Lehrter family is very proud to know that their mom's legacy at MND will continue forever through the young ladies that this scholarship supports.

Ron and I made the decision to include MND in our estate plans with a planned gift to Ruth's Scholarship for the simple fact that we want MND to continue for students for generations to come along with keeping Ruth's memory alive for our family. 

Ruth's MND legacy is as much a gift to her as it is to all of us in the family.  Today, and each year, her legacy continues with a financial gift for tuition assistance.